New Canadian Legislation Will Make Absolutely Clear the Right of Farmers to Save Seed - Agriculture Minister Vows

The Co-Operator

The government has introduced amendments to its Agricultural Growth Act to make the language around seed saving clearer. Story here. 

Larry Powell P in P photo.

Cree Nation Occupies Hydro-Dam in Manitoba

Council of Canadians

More than 100 people from the Cross Lake First Nation (Pimicikamak Cree Nation), located north of Lake Winnipeg, occupied the grounds of the Jenpeg hydro-dam last week. Chief Catherine Merrick said the First Nation is taking control of its traditional territory and evicting Manitoba Hydro. Story here.

U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Rise in 2013: Troubling Sign for Climate Goals

Union of Concerned Scientists

In a troubling sign, data from the Energy Information Agency released today show that U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose 2.5% in 2013. This increase comes after two years of declining emissions. Story here.

Larry Powell P in P photo.

‘It Will Never Be The Same’: North Dakota’s 3.5 Million-Litre Oil Spill One Year Later

ClimateProgress

One year ago, when more than 20,000 barrels (3,528,000 Litre) of crude oil spilled from a pipeline and soaked a wheat field in Tioga, North Dakota, the public almost never knew about it. After the spill was discovered by a lone farmer, it was not reported for nearly two weeks, and only after reporters from the The Associated Press asked about it specifically. Details here.

Genetic Modification Trails Conventional Breeding By Far

Institute of Science in Society

Researchers have created conventionally bred varieties tolerant to drought and low nitrogen soils that can reduce poverty in 13 African countries by up to 9 %, far outperforming anything that genetic modification has achieved Prof Peter Saunders

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A Government of Canada Report on Deforestation by Oil, Gas Industry Not Out Until After Next Election

        THE 

HILL TIMESonline

The latest government information about the scope of deforestation by Canada's oil and gas sector - predominantly the Boreal Plain forest destroyed by Alberta oilsands mining and production - will not be published until a year after the next federal election, according to information from the federal Natural Resources department. Story here.

Companies Pulling Out of Canadian Tar Sands Oil

Living on Earth

With crude prices sharply down and the future of the Keystone XL pipeline in doubt, energy companies are dubious about investing in oil from the Alberta Tar Sands. OnEarth writer Brian Palmer discusses the problems facing the industry with host Steve Curwood.  Story here.

Organic Consumers Association (OCA) Condemns Approval in the U.S. of Dow "Enlist Duo" Herbicide

Organic Consumers Association

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final approval this week, over the objections of more than a half-million citizens, of Dow AgroSciences' Enlist Duo, an herbicide made from a combination of 2,4-D (one of the active ingredients in Agent Orange) and glyphosate (the key ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide).  Story here.





Crop-duster. Larry Powell P in P photo  

Related: New GMOs Doctors Are Warning About.

Agroecology: The Capitalist Elephant in the Room

Our Food Future

The benefits of agroecological methods are extremely broad, from the human health benefits of eating food grown in healthy and biologically diverse soils, to drastically reduced input costs for farmers... Story here.

Related: The Solution Is the Soil: How Organic Farming Can Feed the World and Save the Planet 

A farmers' market on the farm. 

Larry Powell P in P photo.

Scientists Mull Change Of Epoch To Reflect Human Impact On The Planet

Huffington Post

BERLIN (Reuters) - Scientists from around the world met this week to decide whether to call time on the Holocene epoch after 11,700 years and begin a new geological age called the Anthropocene - to reflect humankind's deep impact on the planet. Story here.

From Cabinet to CropLife: Ted Menzies Avoids Ethical Scrutiny Over New Job as Top Canadian Pesticide and GMO Lobbyist

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

Since last Nov., John Bennett of the Sierra Club has been raising the alarm....Story here.

Studies show chemicals which some of Croplife's 

member companies peddle, contribute to the decline of 

insect-eating birds. (r.) An insectivorous bird, the purple 

martin, which is in decline.  P in P photo. 

Please also read: "Blogger Responds to Accusations from CropLife Canada"